Dive Sites Neil Island
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Unlock the Secrets of the Best Dive Sites of Neil
Neil Island isn’t just a destination—it’s a diver’s playground bursting with colour, character, & curious marine life. From the fishy mayhem at Fish Slate to the dramatic drop-offs of Junction, & the unpredictable surprises at Margerita’s Mischief, the dive sites of Neil are anything but ordinary. Each site offers a different adventure—swim alongside Napolean wrasse, peer into rocky crevices for moray eels, or drift through clouds of fusiliers & sweetlips. Whether you’re into macro marvels or pelagic thrills, this corner of the Andamans has it all. Let ScubaLov take you beneath the surface & show you why the dive sites of Neil Island deserve a permanent spot on every diver’s bucket list.
Aquarium
Aquarium is an expanse of patch reefs that lie parallel to the main fringe reef off the eastern part of this island. This site resembles an underwater playground not just for fish but divers too. This shallow and easy site has immense scope for exploration on its rocky patches that are home to bright and colourful coral and fish.
Busy Burro
Busy Burro (busy old man) is located in the channel between Havelock and Neil island. It’s a beautiful natural plateau where one can expect mild to strong currents around spring tide. Thanks to the hunting trevally and tuna, huge schools of colourful fish prefer to hang around divers for refuge and present awesome photo opportunities (wink).
Bus Stop
Bus stop is the merging point for not just the reef fish but different diving experiences rolled into one. Made of small scattered rock patches on a sandy bottom, this reef extends on all four sides from the mooring line with every direction offering a completely different adventure.
Junction
This beautiful little site begins with rock formations bejewelled with beautifully coloured soft coral. Since it is a relatively deep site that lies between 28-34 metres with strong eastward currents, time is precious but never spent better. Scuba diving here can involve examining unusual macro creatures, exploring crevasses for lobsters and rays, spooking lionfish that hide under rocks.
Lighthouse
The most popular reef for novice divers on Neil Island is the Lighthouse. It’s an easy, circular reef that’s formed around a small lighthouse about 500m from the main jetty. Despite its small size, one can find a spectacular variety of Andaman reef fish here. Large schools of unicorn fish, fusiliers, jacks, trigger fish, puffer fish, eel, octopus can be sighted here.
Nursery
The Nursery is the perfect place to see the diverse ecosystem of the Andamans. Right from the shallow inter-tidal zone, all the way to the deeper end that extends to the west of this long fringing reef. Nursery makes for a very comfortable site for both snorkelers and divers because of its sloping topography.
Margerita’s Mischief
This is one of three most popular dive sites located between Havelock and Neil Island. Margarita’s mischief is a long chain of rock mounds extending southward and is known for a particular variety of sea grass that dugongs love. If you aren’t lucky enough to be invited to brunch with the dugongs you can explore the cavities between rocky outcrops and catch moray eels, octopus, lobsters and shrimps taking a siesta.
Step Up
Step Up is what you get when nature builds a temple and invites all the reef fish to party. Picture long, rocky ledges stacked like the steps of an ancient ruin, each one alive with colour and curiosity. These natural “steps” create deep stratified thin overlapping rock layers where shy groupers, moray eels, lobsters, shrimp, and sea slugs tuck themselves away—waiting for the current to bring in the next diver to wave hello to.
Sync City
If there’s one site that lives up to the hype and the name, it’s Sync City—where everything from fish to your heartbeat feels perfectly in sync with the sea. This vast, vibrant reef system stretches between 18 and 27 metres, stitched together by sandy patches and pulsing with life. But the true showstopper? A majestic underwater arch carved out over time, now an iconic swim-through that feels like crossing into another realm.
Romba
Welcome to Romba, where the ocean doesn’t whisper, it roars with life. This deep, flat reef sitting between 22–26 metres might not have towering pinnacles or dramatic drop-offs, but don’t be fooled. Romba is pure underwater chaos, in the best way possible. Named after the Tamil word for “a lot,” this site delivers exactly that: a lot of fish, a lot of energy, and a whole lot of awe.
K Rock
There’s something about K Rock that feels… otherworldly. As you descend into its quiet blue, the reef slowly unveils itself—a lone coral formation resting like a forgotten altar on a vast sandy plain. No dramatic drop-offs or strong currents here, just a sense of stillness that wraps around you like a secret. But don’t let the calm fool you. K Rock hums with quiet activity.
Fish Slate
If there’s one dive site in Neil Island that keeps everyone—divers, snorkelers, and even dugongs—coming back for more, it’s Fish Slate. This shallow fringing reef starts at just 4 metres, making it an ideal spot for beginners, pros, and anyone who just loves being underwater.
Hathi Mundi
Not for the faint of heart (or certification), Hathi Mundi is a deep dive that delivers serious drama. Reserved for Advanced Open Water and Deep Certified Divers only, this site begins at 27 meters and drops off well beyond the limits of recreational diving. As you descend, you will be greeted by elegant schools of bannerfish and sweetlips, flowing like curtains into a world of shadows and surprises.
